Is defending Tour champion Alberto Contador this year’s Tour villain?

Indeed, there is a strong argument that the 28-year-old is the best stage racer of his generation, a rider in possession of cycling’s rare and deadly double, the ability to climb and time trial with equal brilliance.

Yes, Contador did square off with the great and powerful Armstrong two years ago, and if you believe the Spaniard’s version of the events, he successfully fended off attempted fratricide and beat Big Tex at the Tour.

And until the courts say differently, Contador has totaled six grand tour wins, earning a career grand slam by grabbing the final leader’s jersey in the Vuelta (once), Giro (twice) and Tour (three times), something only four others have accomplished in cycling’s century-old history. Win this year’s Tour and he’ll equal Armstrong for grand tour triumphs, and be the first rider in 13 years to notch the Giro-Tour double.

But clearly Contador’s presence in France will be unwelcome for many. Shortly after announcing his plans to race despite his ongoing doping case, a poll claimed that two-thirds of French cycling fans preferred the defending champion stay home in July. The sport’s governing body, preparing for the expected negative reaction, has urged fans and media to exhibit the “utmost sense of responsibility” toward Contador, who has the “statutory right to take part in any competition.”

Some of his peers have also chimed in, Sky’s Bradley Wiggins telling the Associated Press that Contador’s presence at the Tour’s 98th running will be “bad for all those teams that are fighting to be clean.”

So what now? Do you marvel at Contador’s jaw-dropping ability, knowing that like Armstrong, Bonds, Jordan, Clemens and Tiger, he’s a once-in-a-lifetime talent whose achievements (tainted or not) may never be equaled? Or do you see him as a fraudulent pariah who’s doing irreparable damage to an already battered sport?

Sadly, we may never know with absolute certainty the answer to any of these questions, meaning in the end, how you feel about Alberto Contador is the only answer that really matters.

FILED UNDER: News / Tour de France TAGS: Alberto Contador